Internal working models, selfreported problems, and help-seeking attitudes among college students

Abstract

A person's internal working models of close relationships (J. Bowlby, 1988) incorporate 2 discrete yet interrelated cognitive schemas: a self model containing perceptions of one's own worth and lovability and an other model embodying core expectations about the trustworthi-ness and dependability of intimate others in one's social world. This study tested hypothesized interrelationships, in a college-student sample, (a) between self-model differences and self-reported problems and (b) among other-model differences, problem levels, and help-seeking attitudes. As expected, students with positive self models reported significantly fewer problems than did students with negative self models. In addition, students ' other-model grouping significantly interacted with their problem levels to predict their expressed willingess to seek counseling. Implications of the findings for counseling practice are discussed. The acknowledgement of personal problems does not, in and of itself, propel affected persons to seek therapeutic help. Presumably, those persons who voluntarily pursue counseling must not only be experiencing distress but mus